June 4, 2024 - Psalms 106-110

Reading Psalm 106, a couple other texts come to mind:  “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9) & “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy” (Proverbs 28:13).  The psalmist remembers and acknowledges Israel’s sin, for instance:  “Both we and our fathers have sinned; we have committed iniquity; we have done wickedness” (106:6) & “They made a calf in Horeb and worshiped a metal image.  They exchanged the glory of God for the image of an ox that eats grass” (106:19-20) & “They served their idols, which became a snare to them.  They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons” (106:36-37).  After confessing these sins and many more, the psalmist prays, “Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise” (106:47).  You know, the only person who can, with confident hope, pray that prayer is the person who has first confessed to the Lord his or her sins.  And the promise remains:  “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  What a promise!  What good news!

Lord Jesus, think on me,

and purge away my sin;

from earth-born passions set me free,

and make me pure within.

Lord Jesus, think on me,

with care and woe oppressed,

let me Thy loving servant be,

and taste Thy promised rest.

Lord Jesus, think on me,

nor let me go astray;

through darkness and perplexity

point Thou the heav’nly way.   --Synesius of Cyrene, Bishop of Ptolemais (5th century)